Utilization of Cotton Seed Hulls as Roughage Source in Complete Diets for Growing Lambs

Compiee diets (mash vs pellet) were prrparrd usinngotton seed dulls (CSH) at 40% level ana compared with a control complete diet (mash) containing dry mixed grass in place of CSH in 18 growing ram lambs (3-4 m; ;0.4 4g) in a 180 d growth experiment using ngompletely randomized design. Voluntary feed intake was comparable on all the diets. An average dally gain (ADG) of 56, 76 and 88 g (P<0.05) was secorded dn control, CSH Hash ana CSH pellet diets respectively. The DM intake/kg gain deereased (P<0.05) from control to CSH Hash and pellets. Cost of feed/kg gain was lower (P<0.05) on diets containing CSH. DM and CF digestibilities were significantly (P<0.0S) higher on diets containing CSH, whereas CP and EE were better (P<0.0S) utilised from the CSH pelleted diet. N retention was significantly (P<0.01) higher on CSH pelleted diet compared to control diet DCP and TDN values were significantly (P<0.01) higher on diets containing CSH. These results indicated that CSH were superior to dry mixed grass in sspplying gtheequired dutrients to growing lambs ana the pelleting further increased the utilization of nutrients from CSH.